Last night, during a live broadcast of The Late Show, Stephen Colbert delivered a sharp and humorous critique of President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. The show opened with a lighthearted yet biting parody of the Animaniacs theme song, titled “The MAGA Maniacs.” The animated sketch featured cartoon versions of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and House Speaker Mike Johnson, singing about topics like federal worker layoffs, rollbacks of diversity and inclusion initiatives (DEI), and Putin’s relaxation. The playful tune set the tone for Colbert’s monologue, which dove headfirst into Trump’s nearly two-hour speech. With his signature wit, Colbert dissected the President’s rhetoric, highlighting its contradictions and offering a satirical take on its themes.
Colbert began his monologue by poking fun at the speech’s central theme, “The Renewal of the American Dream.” “Yeah, I don’t know if I want to sign up for the renewal,” Colbert quipped. “Can’t I just use a different email to get another free trial?” The joke drew laughs from the audience, as Colbert cleverly compared the idea of renewing the American Dream to the modern frustration of escaping subscription services. His remark underscored the skepticism many feel about the feasibility of Trump’s vision for America, framing it as something that sounds appealing but might not deliver on its promises.
The host also addressed one of the most dramatic moments of the night: the expulsion of Texas Congressman Al Green during Trump’s speech. Green, a 77-year-old representative, was escorted out of the joint session after repeatedly interrupting the President. Colbert joked about the spectacle, saying, “Some people questioned why so much muscle was needed to remove an old man with a cane. But it turns out it was for a serious reason. When security searched him, they found that he smuggled in a spine.” The line was a clever jab at the idea that standing up to Trump required courage, and it highlighted the absurdity of the situation. Colbert’s humor here not only entertained but also sparked reflection on the broader implications of political courage and dissent.
Colbert’s monologue also touched on the overall tone and content of Trump’s address. He mocked the President’s tendency to bend the truth, calling the speech “filled with useful lies” and noting that it was “applauded by useless idiots.” These biting remarks showcased Colbert’s knack for blending humor with pointed political commentary. By framing Trump’s speech as a mix of falsehoods and empty rhetoric, Colbert challenged the President’s credibility while keeping the audience engaged with his signature wit.
As he wrapped up his monologue, Colbert playfully apologized to the audience for subjecting them to a recap of Trump’s speech. “That’s time you could have spent with your family not eating eggs,” he said, referencing the idea that time spent watching politics might be better spent on morepleasant activities. His lighthearted apology encapsulated the frustration many feel about the lengthy and often divisive nature of political addresses. Colbert’s ability to turn that frustration into humor resonated with the audience, leaving them both entertained and reflective.
In the end, Colbert’s recap of Trump’s speech was a masterclass in blending comedy and critique. From the parody song to his sharp jokes about the President’s address, Colbert used humor to highlight the absurdity and contradictions of the evening’s events. His monologue not only entertained but also offered a critical perspective on the state of American politics. By the end of the show, it was clear that Colbert had once again proven his ability to make audiences laugh while sparking important conversations about the world we live in.
